Blister inhibiting cover dressing and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A blister kit includes a plurality of blister inhibiting coverings of different sizes and shapes, a plurality of blister dressing coverings of different sizes and shapes, a set of instructions for when and where to use individual ones of the coverings, and a container for storing the coverings and the set of instructions.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[Not Applicable]

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application relates to wound dressing kits. In particular, thisinvention relates a to a blister kit for helping to inhibit and treatblisters.

2. Background of Prior Art

Outdoorsman, backpackers and athletes are all susceptible to developingsevere foot blisters. Therefore there is a need for a new and improvedblister dressing kit and blister dressing for treating foot blisters andfor helping to reduce further maceration of the healthy surroundingtissue.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a duct tape blister kitincludes a plurality of blister inhibiting coverings of different sizesand shapes, a plurality of blister dressing coverings of different sizesand shapes, a set of instructions for when and where to use individualones of the coverings, and a container for storing the coverings and theset of instructions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned features and steps of the invention and the mannerof attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will bebest understood by reference to the following description of theembodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a duct tape blister kit, which isconstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plane view of a blister inhibiting coveringforming part of the duct tape blister kit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plane view of another blister inhibitingcovering;

FIG. 4 is side elevational view of the blister inhibiting covering ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plane view of a blister dressing coveringforming part of the duct tape blister kit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is side elevational view of a blister dressing coveringconstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the blister dressing covering ofFIG. 6 taken substantially along section line 7-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3 and 5,there is illustrated a blister inhibiting kit 10, which is constructedin accordance with the present invention. As best seen in FIG. 1, theblister inhibiting kit 10 is conveniently packaged in a clear carryingbag 12, which enables a user to quickly and easily see the contents ofthe kit 10.

Before describing the blister inhibiting kit 10 in greater detail, itmay be beneficial to briefly consider how a blister is formed. In thisregard, a blister occurs when the outer layer of skin receives frictionthat causes the outer layer to rub against a deeper skin layer. Morespecifically, as the outer layer is loosened form the deeper skin layer,fluid fills the spaces and cuts off oxygen and nutrients to the outerlayer of skin. If the friction continues, the outer layer of skin mayrupture, exposing nerve endings that induce pain severe enough to limitor stop the activity that induced the friction. Moreover, if the blisterruptures, the skin loses its natural protective barrier that can lead toa wound infection.

Considering now the blister inhibiting kit 10 in greater detail withreference to FIG. 1, the blister inhibiting kit 10 generally includes aset 22 of blister inhibiting coverings, a set 24 of blister treatingcoverings, a set 26 of antibiotic ointment packs, a pair of scissors 28and a sheet of instructions 30.

The set 22 of blister inhibiting coverings are provides to protectdifferent body areas from developing blisters. In this regard, the set22 of blister inhibiting coverings are configured in different sizes andshapes to accommodate smooth, flat skin areas as well as bonyprominences like fingers, heels, elbows, knees and toes. In addition,individual ones of the blister coverings may be cut with the pair ofscissors 28 to a customized shape and size should such customizing benecessary.

The set 24 of blister treating coverings are provides to slightly shiftpressure and shearing forces from an effected blister site, whilesimultaneously helping to prevent further traumatization to the blisterarea and to facilitate reducing further maceration of the healthy tissuesurrounding the blister area. As will be explained hereinafter ingreater detail, a packet of the antibiotic ointment may be applied tothe blister area to help foster a healing process if the blister sitehas ruptured. Also, like the set 22 of blister inhibiting coverings, theset 24 of blister treating coverings are configured in different sizesand shapes to accommodate smooth, flat skin areas as well as bonyprominences like fingers, heels, elbows, knees and toes. In addition,individual ones of the blister treating coverings may be cut with thepair of shears 28 to a customized shape and size should such customizingbe necessary.

Considering now the set 22 of blister inhibiting coverings in greaterdetail with reference to FIG. 1-2, the set 22 of blister inhibitingcoverings include individual blister inhibiting coverings, such as ablister inhibiting covering 32 (FIG. 2) and a blister inhibitingcovering 34 (FIG. 3). Except for the size and shape of the blisterinhibiting coverings 32 and 34, their construction is substantially thesame. In this regard, only the blister inhibiting covering 32 will bedescribed hereinafter in greater detail.

Considering now the blister inhibiting covering 32 in greater detailwith reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the blister inhibiting covering 32generally includes an inhibitor layer of mole skin 42 for helping toreduce skin shearing in response to a rubbing action and an anchoringlayer of duct tape 44 which is affixed to the inhibitor layer 42 forsecuring the inhibitor layer of mole skin 42 over an area of “at risk”skin tissue. The anchoring layer of duct tape 44 includes a non-adhesivefabric like upper surface indicated generally at 46 and a sticky gummyadhesive surface indicated generally at 48. The combination of the moleskin 42 with duct tape 44 greatly increases retaining the mole skin 42in a covering relationship relative to the at risk skin site, which inturn significantly reduces shearing at this site as well. Thiscombination of mole skin 42 and duct tape 44, even in a moist condition,significantly reduces a stage I pressure area (also called a hot spot)from becoming a stage 11 or stage III pressure sore (blister).

In order to protect the mole skin 42 and the sticky gummy adhesivesurface 48 of the duct tape 44 until the blister inhibiting covering 32is ready for use, a pair of protective peel coverings 50 and 52respectively cover the mole skin 42 and the adhesive surface 48 of theduct tape 44. As best seen in FIG. 6, when a user is ready to apply theblister inhibiting covering 32 to an at risk skin area, the user simplypinches a corner of one of the peel covering, such as the peel covering50 and pulls it away from the mole skin 42 and the adhesive surface 48.The user then repeats this process removing the peel covering 52 andthen applies the mole skin 42 directly over the at risk site, allowingthe uncovered adhesive surface 48 to fix the mole skin 42 in place.

Considering now the set 24 of blister treating coverings in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5-7, the set 22 of blisterinhibiting coverings include individual blister inhibiting coverings,such as a blister treating covering 54 (FIG. 5) and a blister treatingcovering 64 (FIG. 7). Except for the size and shape of the blisterinhibiting coverings 54 and 64, their construction is substantially thesame. In this regard, only the blister inhibiting covering 64 will bedescribed hereinafter in greater detail.

Considering now the blister treating covering 64 in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 6-7, the blister treating covering generally includesan anchoring layer of duct tape 66 which is affixed to a treatment layerof polyurethane foam 68. The treatment layer of polyurethane foam 68functions to accomplish several beneficial effects: it helps wick awaymoisture discharged from the blister site, it helps reduce externalpressure exerted on the blister site, and it helps protect thetraumatized skin at the blister site.

In order to promote the above-mentioned beneficial effects and in orderto help foster rapid healing of the pressure sore, the polyurethane foam68 is impregnated with a mild cleansing agent 72, such as an F-68surfactant, a moisturizer 74, such as glycerin, and a starch co-polymer76.

The cleansing agent 72 is activated by moisture (fluid released from theblister site) and is gradually released onto the blister area to helpdecrease surface friction that traumatized the skin and the underlyingtissue. The moisturizer 74 on the other hand, keeps the polyurethanefoam 68 from adhering to the traumatized skin or wound surface, therebysignificantly decreasing discomfort and pain that could otherwise beexperienced by the user. The starch co-polymer 76 accelerates the woundhealing process by providing a moist wound environment that helpsfacilitate the concentration of the body's natural growth factors andnutrients at the wound site.

Also, in order to help prevent infection and to promote the rapidhealing of the wound, the user may apply a unit dosage of antibioticointment 26A to the traumatized skin surface area prior to covering thewound with the blister treating covering 64.

When impregnating the polyurethane foam 68, it has been found that thefoam 68 should preferably be at least 90% to 99% free of the surfactant72, 90% to 99% free of the glycerin and 90% to 99% free of theco-polymer starch. More preferably the foam 68 should preferably be atleast 95% to 99% free of the surfactant 72, 95% to 99% free of theglycerin and 95% to 99% free of the co-polymer starch. Most preferablythe foam 68 should preferably be at least 99% free of the surfactant 72,99% free of the glycerin and 99% free of the co-polymer starch.

The anchoring layer of duct tape 66 includes a non-adhesive fabric likeupper surface indicated generally at 81 and a sticky gummy adhesivesurface indicated generally at 83. The combination of the impregnatedpolyurethane foam membrane 68 with duct tape 66 greatly increasesretaining the polyurethane foam 66 in a covering relationship relativeto the wound site, which in turn, helps to accelerate the healingprocess.

In order to protect the mole skin 42 and the sticky gummy adhesivesurface 83 of the duct tape 66 until the blister treating covering 642is ready for use, a pair of protective peel coverings 90 and 92respectively cover the polyurethane foam member 68 and the adhesivesurface 83 of the duct tape 66. As best seen in FIG. 6, when a user isready to apply the blister treating covering 64 to a wound area, theuser simply pinches a corner of one of the peel covering, such as thepeel covering 90 and pulls it away from the polyurethane foam member 68and the adhesive surface 83. The user then repeats this process removingthe peel covering 92 and then applies the impregnated polyurethane foammembrane 68 directly over the blister site, allowing the uncoveredadhesive surface 83 to fix the polyurethane foam membrane 68 in place atthe wound site.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed as having a uniquely formulated dressing, it is neverthelesscontemplated that other less effective dressings may be utilized toimpregnate the polyurethane foam membrane 68. For example, the followingother dressings are contemplated: silver-coated antimicrobial barrierdressings; dressing composed of ester of hyaluronic acid; thin filmdressings which are semi-permeable membrane dressing permeable to oxygenand water vapor; hydrocolloid dressing that are moldable wafer dressingswhich may interact with wound exudates to form a moist gel whichprotects the wound bed; alginates dressings which are products made ofseaweed that promote body fluids combining with the alginate to form agel; hydrogels/gel dressings that are non-adhesive, single polymerformulations that are useful for the treatment of granulating wounds andwhich can lower the temperature of the wound thus reducing inflammationand providing pain relief; foam and absorptive dressing which absorbwound exudates and conform to the wound surface thus obliterating deadspace; combination dressings of inert materials that conforms to thewound surface and help obliterate dead space, maintain a moist wouldsurface and allow a moderate amount of wound exudates to pass throughthe dressing for absorption by a secondary dressing or an absorptivelayer in the primary dressing; collagen dressings; and barriers andlotions that are skin protectants that allow for moisture-vaportransport and protect skin from maceration. While particular embodimentsof the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understoodthat various different modifications are possible and are contemplatedwithin the true spirit and scope of the appended claims. There is nointention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract or disclosureherein presented.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A blister inhibiting covering, comprising: aninhibitor layer for helping to reduce skin shearing in response to arubbing action; and an anchoring layer affixed to said inhibitor layerfor securing said inhibitor layer over an area of at risk skin tissue.7. The blister inhibiting covering according to claim 6, wherein saidinhibitor layer is a layer of moleskin.
 8. The blister inhibitingcovering according to claim 6, wherein said inhibitor layer is a layerof polyurethane foam.
 9. The blister inhibiting covering according toclaim 8, wherein said layer of polyurethane foam is impregnated with anF-68 surfactant for helping to reduce surface friction on said area ofat risk skin tissue.
 10. The blister inhibiting covering according toclaim 9, wherein said polyurethane foam is at least 99% free of saidF-68 surfactant.
 11. The blister inhibiting covering according to claim10, wherein said layer of polyurethane foam is further impregnated witha starch co-polymer for helping to wick away moisture from said area ofat risk skin tissue.
 12. The blister inhibiting covering according toclaim 11, wherein said polyurethane foam is at least 99% free of saidstarch co-polymer.
 13. The blister inhibiting covering according toclaim 12, wherein said layer of polyurethane foam is further impregnatedwith an antibiotic ointment for helping skin healing.
 14. The blisterinhibiting covering according to claim 12, wherein said anchoring layeris a layer of duct tape.
 15. The blister inhibiting covering accordingto claim 14, further comprising: a removable peel sheet covering onehalf of the bottom surface of said duct tape and one half of theinhibiting layer; and another removable peel sheet covering another onehalf of the bottom surface of said duct tape and another one half of theinhibiting layer.
 16. A blister dressing, comprising: a moisturewicking, pressure redirecting layer of polyurethane foam; a moisturereleasing agent disposed within said layer of polyurethane foam forhelping to prevent said layer of polyurethane foam from adhering to ablister wound area; a cleansing agent disposed within said layer ofpolyurethane foam for helping to reduce surface tension between saidpolyurethane foam and said blister wound area; and an anchoring layeraffixed to said layer of polyurethane foam for securing said layer overa blister wound area of skin tissue.
 17. The blister dressing accordingto claim 16, wherein said layer of polyurethane foam is coated with anantibiotic ointment for helping skin healing.
 18. The blister dressingaccording to claim 17, wherein said anchoring layer is a layer of ducttape.
 19. The blister dressing according to claim 18, furthercomprising: a removable peel sheet covering one half of the bottomsurface of said duct tape and one half of the top surface area of saidfoam layer; and another removable peel sheet covering another one halfof the bottom surface of said duct tape and another one half of the topsurface area of said foam layer.
 20. The blister dressing according toclaim 16, wherein said layer of polyurethane foam is impregnated with acombination of surfactant, glycerin and co-polymer starch.
 21. Theblister dressing according to claim 20, wherein said layer ofpolyurethane foam is at least 90 percent to 99 percent free of saidsurfactant, at least 90 percent to 99 percent free of glycerin and atleast 90 percent to 99 percent free of co-polymer starch.
 22. Theblister dressing according to claim 21, wherein said layer ofpolyurethane foam is more preferably at least 95 percent to 99 percentfree of said surfactant, at least 95 percent to 99 percent free ofglycerin and at least 95 percent to 99 percent free of co-polymerstarch.
 23. The blister dressing according to claim 22, wherein saidlayer of polyurethane foam is most preferably at least 99 percent freeof said surfactant, at least 99 percent free of glycerin and at least 99percent free of co-polymer starch.
 24. A blister inhibiting coveringaccording to claim 6, wherein said inhibitor layer is a blisterdressing; said blister dressing including: a moisture wicking, pressureredirecting layer of polyurethane foam; a moisture releasing agentdisposed within said layer of polyurethane foam for helping to preventsaid layer of polyurethane foam from adhering to a blister wound area;and a cleansing agent disposed within said layer of polyurethane foamfor helping to reduce surface tension between said polyurethane foam andsaid blister wound area.
 25. A blister inhibiting covering according toclaim 24, wherein said layer of polyurethane foam is impregnated with acombination of surfactant, glycerin and co-polymer starch; wherein saidpolyurethane foam at least 90 percent to 99 percent free of saidsurfactant, at least 90 percent to 99 percent free of glycerin and atleast 90 percent to 99 percent free of co-polymer starch.